What is the SNP doing for early learning childcare?

Scotland is leading the way in access to free and affordable childcare and reducing child poverty.

The SNP Scottish Government continues to prioritise Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), with the 2026/26 Budget proposing investment of £101.2 million.

Families across Scotland have been benefitting from the provision of 1140 hours of high quality ELC since 2021, worth up to £6,000 per eligible child each year. Scotland is the only part of the UK to offer 1,140 hours a year of funded ELC to all 3- and 4-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds, regardless of their parents’ working status.

The SNP Scottish Government is committed to building an understanding of what models of childcare work best for children and their families. This is backed by investment to further this work with early adopter communities in six local authorities.

SNP Scottish Government policies ensure that support for children continues past their early years. The Bright Start Breakfasts fund provides £3 million to ensure that more primary school children have a nutritious start to the day and parents benefit from free childcare

The 2026/27 Scottish Budget is providing additional investment of £15 million in breakfast club delivery in 2026-27 – to build to a national offer by August 2027.

The Scottish Government’s 2026-27 Budget will continue to invest £5.5 million to provide up to 5,000 children with access to services through the Extra Time programme, working with 51 football clubs and trusts across 28 local authority areas.